If It Costs Nothing, It Accomplishes Nothing

I love Sundays. I love being able to worship with other believers. I love to sing the hymns. I love the children's time. I love to sing the choir anthems. I love the sharing of praises and petitions and the quiet time spent in prayer. I love listening to the sermon in eager anticipation for what God wants me to hear. But mostly I love belonging to a church where we are family.
This morning Brent and his family came to church. As Pastor Steve called him up I was filled with gratitude. Our church family prayed for him when he left for Iraq. Not many Sundays went by that he wasn't lifted up in prayer for protection. Many people sent him cards and letters. And today this very same church family welcomed him home with a prayer of thanksgiving for his safe return. I believe that each of those prayers surrounded him while he was there and brought him home safely, a grateful young man. I am thankful for that.
There always seems to be one line in the sermon that speaks directly to me. Today it was "A ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing." As I thought about what that meant for my life, I realized that God sometimes gives us circumstances in our life that cost us a great deal. This battle that I am fighting has, and will continue to, cost both Carl and I in many ways. But how can He be glorified in this journey if there is no cost involved?
I know that nothing happens by accident and I pray that at the end of this journey God will have accomplished His purpose no matter the cost.

The Simple Things

"Every day is a good day. Just some days are better
than others," as my dear friend Deloris says.
Today was a better than others day. I started off the
morning by taking our Young Believers to the park
for a picnic. It was a beautiful day. The children's
laughter filled the playground. Their eyes were wide
as they fed the ducks. Their little fingers were yellow
from eating cheez puffs. They picked flowers and gave
them to me. They got dirty and sweaty and still
smelled like only little children can smell. They gave
hugs that surrounded you as if you were being hugged
by a giant. Children are indeed one of God's greatest
gifts.
After the picnic, I came home to a house full of my
family. Eric, Holly, Brent and their families were all
getting ready to go to Disney for the day. What a joy
to walk in the door and be greeted by grandchildren
running up to hug you. What a joy it was to see all of
my grown children and their wives and children
spending the day together.
Sometimes it's the simple things in life that bring us
the most joy.
Thank you Lord for the simple things in my life that
make it so abundant!

God's Circle of Love

ANSWERED PRAYER!
The phone rang at 8:15 this morning and it was my Doctor. She said that my CT scan showed only pneumonia but all else was good!! I think I have never been so happy to be diagnosed with pneumonia. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the good news. Carl and I are still walking on air.
I believe with all my heart that God hears and answers the prayers of His people. Though I may not know who everyone is, I know that many, many people were praying for good results on this scan. I know that God heard those prayers and answered them. How can I possibly express my thankfulness? I say simply and humbly "Thank You".
As I went on my knees praising God for His mercy this morning, I asked Him to allow me to be a prayer warrior for someone in need so that I might be able, in some small way to give back.
And God's circle of love continues on and on!